Waste and water utility rates are expected to rise for Frisco residents in 2023.
The Frisco City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the Master Fee Ordinance in their September 20 meeting.
The city of Frisco announced that these changes will be taking effect this month.
Frisco’s growth and expansion and economic and market conditions in recent years are attributed as the reason for the increase in the cost of sales and services in the Utility Fund, according to city documents.
A large portion of the increase is attributed to passing on the $0.40 per thousand gallons or 13.4% rate increase received from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).
Treasury Manager of the Budgeting and Planning Services Department Brett Peterson told the city council at the meeting that the NTMWD was facing multiple operational pressures and attributes some issues to drought affecting the region.
“The North Texas region has faced its most significant drought since 2015,” said Peterson. “Although conservation efforts by many water district member cities and recent mild weather in August, early September have helped, seven-member cities exceeded their annual minimums during this past year, which ended July 31.”
The NTMWD projected a minimum annual demand of just over 14 billion gallons of water from Frisco for the fiscal year of 2023. The organization projected a water rate increase of 11% in its Strategic Financial Plan because of this in 2024.
The new minimum residential water bill is now $20.47 a month, up 8% from $18.95 for 2,000 gallons of water with additional costs for every 1,000 gallons.
Sewer and waste collection bills increased by 3%, from $26.73 to $27.53 per month.
Solid waste collection fees experienced an increase of just under 23% from $17.00 to $21.00 per month.
Overall costs are expected to see an 8% increase from $123.16 to $133.45, just below the average of 135.90 in comparison to other regions.
“These rate adjustments will help ensure the fund’s financial stability and the continued operating expense of the Exide Plant closure,” said Peterson.
Officials claim that construction costs and interest rates are also increasing, adding to the costs of maintenance and improvements in the regional water system, including Panther Creek and Stewart Creek.
Councilman Bill Woodward advised that citizens could reduce sewer rates by refraining from watering during the months of December, January, February, and March due to the city basing sewer charges on the amount of water used during those months.
